That’s a phrase I’ve seen on banners protesting the small boats and used by self identifying Right wingers in real life. Someone actually said it to me.
It’s interesting that they want to distance themselves from the far Right yet are still happy to be on the same side of the political spectrum.
They’re not even pitching their views as moderate or centrist, they view themselves and Right wing values as sensible, common sense and well… just right.
More proof that the Overton window has shifted to the Right.
This confidence and sense of being right is based on what they know and understand about the world. What they consider normal equates to being the right and sometimes morally correct view.
But we know this isn’t objectively true. (Normal)
As mentioned in a previous post (Left vs Right) Right wing ideology generally seeks to sustain traditional social structures, hierarchy and established institutions. There’s an emphasis on individual freedom, conservatism and religion, prioritizing order over equality and favouring private sector solutions (Capitalism).
The Right often accepts social inequality as inevitable or desirable, favours tradition and stability while advocating for less Government interventions.
People with these views are either happy with the way things are or (no offence) lack the imagination to see another way of living. They don’t question the world around them and instinctively view things like tradition and patriotism as positive without considering context.
To an extent, this way of thinking isn’t their fault, it’s been cultivated through the generations, reinforced by religion, capitalism, patriarchy, media and politics. We still have people that don’t question the Monarchy! Like they’re somehow better than everybody else, appointed by God?
Nah.
Lies.
So could they be considered victims of indoctrination and propaganda? Yes, I think they could. But at some point in your life, you must surely question something?
They do! They know something isn’t right, life is getting harder and they want better for themselves and their families, just like everybody else. That’s what they question and want answers for.
What I don’t understand, nor can I easily forgive, is how you got to your 40’s and still think that immigrants are stealing your jobs and that that’s the root cause of our nations ills.
Let’s try to see it from their perspective though. You’re genuinely concerned about an influx of immigrants and criminals into the country. You’re worried about the safety of women and children. You want to preserve our national identity and proudly fly a flag of some kind and not be accused of being a racist.
That all seems reasonable enough on the surface and if met with resistance, might surprise those fighting for, what appear to be objectionably good causes.
No wonder they’re angry and confused. They’re shouting about imminent danger to our country and way of life, but nobody is listening.
Much like those stupid Lefties, banging on about climate change, capitalism and billionaires.
But, the Right have been sold a lie, given a scapegoat and a quick fix for all their problems. Problems which are directly related to the values they hold dear. Namely, maintaining the status quo, holding back progress and buying into capitalist lies.
Those things clearly aren’t working, but getting rid of immigrants and stopping the boats won’t solve our problems, we need a real change.
Yes immigration is a problem (one of many and arguably not as important as some others) and the resolution has become much harder since Brexit. But not all immigrants are criminals, maybe some are, but those that are known are literally deported. Will some still slip through? Maybe?
We don’t yet have the stats to see if this is a big problem or not. Regardless, we shouldn’t be actively seeking to cause harm to asylum seekers and immigrants. I can’t believe I have to say that.
If the Right are truly worried about protecting women and children, they’d look at current domestic violence, child abuse and human trafficking statistics within the UK and address those issues?
Surely they’d also be in favour of protecting any women and children that come over on the small boats too right?
Nope!
They really mean to protect white, British women and children and that’s when the racism shows. They say British people should be put first. That last statement might seem sensible, but what they fail to realise is that the Government is capable of solving multiple problems at once. There’s enough money and resources to look after everyone and prevent the poorest, most vulnerable people fighting amongst themselves over scraps.
The Right are also worried about a stealth invasion, Muslim’s taking over our country, erasing our heritage and identity.
This is conspiracy theory level bonkers.
That is not happening, there’s no Muslim agenda. The UK allows religious freedom, that’s it. Sharia Law does not supersede existing British Law. It’s an excuse to be Islamophobic.
Britain is a multicultural country, nothing is being taken away, other things have simply been added which make our lives richer. Food, art, music, labour, fashion etc.
British identity and culture is not being erased by Muslims and immigrants, it’s being erased by time and a lack of anything the UK has done in recent decades to remain relevant on the world stage.
What even is our cultural identity anymore? Cups of tea, forming orderly queues, the Monarchy, double decker busses, the tube, beer, hops, fighting Nazi’s, Brit-pop, the Beatles, Maypoles, Morris dancers, bowler hats, Jack the Ripper, the Plague, summer fetes, bowls on the green, steam trains, broad sheets, the white cliffs of Dover?
Nothing is preventing British people from keeping certain aspects of British culture alive, but you also can’t stop times and fashions from changing. Using vague nostalgia to create an unrealistic version of Britain’s past appeals to the Right, but is ultimately unachievable.
Sorry to all those on the Right, but we can NEVER go back. Those that promise you something similar to a non-specific bygone era are manipulating you.
Maybe become a mod? Find an aspect you love about British culture and identity, then live it. Go ahead, what’s stopping you?
Our national identity is ethereal, it’s not fixed, we have stereotypes which become less true over time as society slowly becomes homogenous.
That’s arguably a separate issue. The blame could be pointed at social media and globalisation. I’m not getting into that though.
It could also be solved/avoided if people cared enough about their communities and took action that didn’t just involve hanging flags off lampposts.
We should be looking forward and asking ourselves what we can do to make the country better for everyone, right now!
Solutions exist, the Right need to get on board and realise who their real enemies are. (The 1%)
The Right in general needs to be willing to try introspection, accept the flaws in our country, try to fix them and stop blaming the wrong people.
Criticising the crimes of the British Empire or acknowledging that Churchill was a racist and a bigot, doesn’t mean you can’t also be patriotic. You just don’t blindly believe that your country can do no wrong.
There’s a lot more to unpick.
Some people don’t have much of a sense of self, this is true of all people regardless of political leanings, but I speculate those on the Right cling to traditional ideas as it helps them form an identity.
Plus, it’s all they’ve ever known.
So, when aspects of that identity are criticised or attacked, they take it personally. For example, things they know for certain, things that are correct, right and normal based on their own personal lived experience are:
They’re born English, they’re born male or female, they’re white/caucasian, they’re heterosexual, they like the Monarchy, they’re neurotypical, they believe that if they work hard they will be rewarded fairly, they eat meat, prop up the patriarchy, they’re pro-military, pro-heirarchy, they believe in God, monogamy and marriage etc.
Those things are pretty typical of most people born in the UK, they appear to be the majority after all… So anything that isn’t that, anything that isn’t normal to them could be perceived as being wrong, unnatural or a threat.
But what if they’re wrong? It could literally unravel their reality, identity, sense of self and understanding of the world around them.
No wonder they’re not receptive and often mock opposing viewpoints, stick their fingers in their ears and deny, deny, deny.
I bet loads of them recognise something different in themselves that doesn’t fit the narrow bounds or normal, but keep it hidden as it’s safer to conform.
The world doesn’t want you to be different. It’s easier to hate feminists, women, effeminate men, drag queens, vegetarians and vegans, atheists, neurodivergent people, immigrants, people of colour, the polyamorous and the LGBTQIA+ communities. To those on the Right, being one of those minorities would be the worst thing in the world.
They’re scared of becoming part of a minority group, because they know that they’d be treated badly and they’d rather be the oppressor.
That’s also an acknowledgement of their own privilege, but they don’t often see that.
Of course these are all generalisations.
You can be a gay Conservative and want to vote Reform, even though they hate you. In fact a lot of Right wing men appear to be deeply ashamed and closeted.
I’d have more sympathy if they didn’t cause so much harm.
You can also be a straight, white, Christian, working class, meat eating, beer drinking boomer and be in favour of equal rights and an ally to minorities.
Humans are contradictory and there must be near infinite permutations of belief. But sometimes, sometimes, a disappointing stereotype is real.
Side note
For a Political viewpoint keen on limited Government interventions, the Right sure are keen to usher in Fascism.
Let’s nip that in the bud eh?
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